Public Records on a Credit Report: What Still Shows

Definition

Public records are court and government records of a financial nature, like bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens. Since 2017–2018, bankruptcies are the only public records the three nationwide bureaus report. Judgments and liens may still appear on other kinds of reports.

Also called: public record, public record information, bankruptcy public record, civil judgment on credit report, tax lien on credit report

What it means

The public records section of a credit report lists court and government records about your finances. The CFPB’s 2012 report on the credit reporting system lists bankruptcies, judgments, and state and federal tax liens as the public records the nationwide bureaus collected. Arrests and criminal convictions generally do not appear on credit reports, though background screening companies may report them. Marriage records and lawsuits that never led to a judgment do not appear either.

What changed in 2017

Under new public record standards adopted by the three nationwide bureaus through the National Consumer Assistance Plan, the bureaus removed all civil judgments and almost half of tax liens from credit reports in July 2017. The CFPB reports that the tax liens that survived those removals were all gone by April 2018, and that “Bankruptcies are now the only type of public record” on nationwide credit reports. Experian’s own guide says the same.

That change covered the three nationwide bureaus. The FCRA still allows judgments and paid tax liens to be reported within the time limits below, so they may appear on reports from other consumer reporting agencies, such as tenant screening and background check companies.

How long public records can be reported

Under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c(a):

Bankruptcies: up to 10 years from the date of the order for relief.
Civil judgments: seven years from entry, or until the statute of limitations expires, whichever is longer. The FTC’s 2011 staff report says a paid judgment cannot be reported more than seven years after it was entered.
Paid tax liens: seven years from the date of payment.

Where it comes from

The bureaus do not get public records from creditors. The CFPB’s 2012 report explains they obtained them mainly through a single data vendor, which used contractors to collect most judgment and lien records by hand from court and government offices. The report flags time lags in updating public records as a significant issue.

Common errors

A bankruptcy, judgment, or lien that belongs to someone with a similar name (a mixed file).
A judgment that was vacated, satisfied, or dismissed but still shows as open.
The wrong bankruptcy chapter, or a dismissed case shown as discharged.
A record reported past its time limit.

How to dispute it

Get a copy of the court record, such as a docket, satisfaction, dismissal, or discharge order. Dispute in writing with each agency that reports the record, and include it.

When it can be an FCRA violation

Agencies must use reasonable procedures for maximum possible accuracy (§ 1681e(b)), reinvestigate disputes, and stop reporting records past the § 1681c time limits. A public record that is not yours, is out of date, or is too old, and that stays after a dispute, can support a claim.

If a public record error isn’t fixed after you dispute it, FCRA Attorneys offers a free case review, and you pay no fee unless we win.

Sources

Updated November 2026. This glossary is written by FCRA Attorneys from public sources. It is general information, not legal advice, and is not affiliated with any credit bureau or industry association.